Three years later, when the NHL expanded again, Kučera returned to North America and signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Midway through the season, he ws traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins. He was traded again, this time to the Washington Capitals in the deal that also sent Jaromír Jágr to Washington. After playing a season, he once again returned to the Czech Republic to play hockey.

Kučera played 465 NHL games, scoring 24 goals and 95 assists. In 1998 he was a member of the Czech Olympic Team and won the Olympic gold medal.